Permit to Stop Damage to Flora and Fauna by Protected Wild Birds or by Protected Wild Animals

Section 42 of the Wildlife Act, 1976 (as amended) provides, inter alia, that where protected wild animals or birds are causing serious damage to:

  • food (including human food products and animal feeds), livestock, poultry or agricultural crops (including vegetables or fruit) either on pasture or on cultivated land
  • pen-reared wild birds on any land
  • other fauna
  • flora
  • a woodland or a forest plantation,
  • a fishery
  • buildings and other structures and their contents,
  • aquaculture installations

The owner or occupier of the property to which the damage is being caused, may apply to the Minister for a permission under this section.

Applications for permissions should be emailed to: wildlifelicence@npws.gov.ie

Applications are assessed by NPWS Regional Staff to determine if serious damage is being caused and if so, the most practical method of stopping or controlling the problem. This assessment could include a visit to an applicant’s premises.  In this regard the conservation status of the particular species involved is given every consideration. The decision made to grant or refuse the permit is made by an officer designated by the Minister to issue licences on his/her behalf.

Applications are considered on their merits in accordance with the Statutory Obligations of the Minister set out in the Wildlife Act 1976 (as amended).